Unit 1: Section A Love Without LimitationsIntensive Study Love Without Limitations 1 My brother, Jimmy, did not get enough oxygen during a difficult delivery, leaving him with brain damage, and two years later I was born. Since then, my life revolved around my brothers. Accompanying my growing up was always “go out and play and take your brother with you”. I couldnt go anywhere without him, so I urged the neighborhood kids to come to my house for some out-of-control kid-centered fun.Intensive Study 2 My mother taught Jimmy practical things like how to brush his teeth or put on a belt. My father, a saint, simply held the house together with his patience and understanding. I was in charge outside where I administered justice by tracking down the parents of the kids who picked on my brother, and telling on them.3 My father and Jimmy were inseparable. They ate breakfast together and on weekdays drove off to the navy shipping center every morning where they both worked Jimmy unloaded color-coded boxes. At night after dinner, they would talk and play games late into the evening. They even whistled the same tunes.Intensive Study 4 So when my father died of a heart attack in 1991, Jimmy was a wreck, beneath his careful disguise. He was simply in disbelief. Usually very agreeable, he now quit speaking altogether and no amount of words could penetrate the vacant expression he wore on his face. I hired someone to live with him and drive him to work, but no matter how much I tried to make things stay the same, even Jimmy grasped that the world hed known was gone. One day I asked, “You miss Dad, dont you?” His lips quivered and then he asked, “What do you think, Margaret? He was my best friend.” Our tears began to flow.5 My mother died of lung cancer six months later and I alone was left to look after Jimmy.Intensive Study 6 He didnt adjust to going to work without my father right away, so he came and lived with me in New York City for a while. He went wherever I went and seemed to adjust pretty well. Still, Jimmy longed to live in my parents house and work at his old job and I pledged to help him return. Eventually, I was able to work it out. He has lived there for 11 years now with many different caretakers and blossomed on his own. He has become essential to the neighborhood. When you have any mail to be picked up or your dog needs walking, he is your man.7 My mother was right, of course: It was possible to have a home with room for both his limitations and my ambitions. In fact, caring for someone who loves as deeply and appreciates my efforts as much as Jimmy does has enriched my life more than anything else ever could have.Intensive Study 8 This hit home a few days after the September 11th disaster on Jimmys 57th birthday. I had a party for him in my home in New York, but none of our family could join us because travel was difficult and they were still reckoning with the sheer terror the disaster had brought. I called on my faithful friends to help make it a merry and festive occasion, ignoring the fact that most of them were emotionally drained and exhausted. Instead of the customary “No gifts, please”, I shouted, “Gifts! Please!”9 My friends people Jimmy had come to know over the years brought the ideal presents: country music CDs, a sweatshirt, one leather belt with “J-I-M-M-Y” on it, a knitted wool hat and a cowboy costume. The evening led up to the gifts and then the chocolate cake from his favorite bakery, and of course the ceremony wasnt complete without the singing.Intensive Study 10 A thousand times Jimmy asked, “Is it time for the cake yet?” After dinner and the gifts Jimmy could no longer be restrained. He anxiously waited for the candles to be lit and then blew them out with one long breath as we all sang “Happy Birthday”. Jimmy wasnt satisfied with our effort, though. He jumped up on the chair and stood erect pointing both index fingers into the air to conduct us and yelled, “One more time!” We sang with all of the energy left in our souls and when we were finished he put both his thumbs up and shouted, “That was super!”11 We had wanted to let him know that no matter how difficult things got in the world, there would always be people who cared about him. We ended up reminding ourselves instead. For Jimmy, the love with which we sang was a welcome bonus, but mostly he had just wanted to see everyone else happy again.Intensive Study 12 Just as my fathers death had changed Jimmys world overnight, September 11th changed our lives; the world wed known was gone. But, as we sang for Jimmy and held each other tight afterward praying for peace around the world, we were reminded that the constant love and support of our friends and family would get us through whatever life might present. The simplicity with which Jimmy had reconciled everything for us should not have been surprising. There had never been any limitations to what Jimmys love could accomplish.delivery1.The process of giving birth to a baby She didnt expect that the delivery of the baby was so easy.It was an easy delivery, a fine baby girl they had wished for.2. The act of bringing sth to a particular placeYour order is ready for delivery.The ad says that its available at $100, including delivery.My father, a saint, In Christianity, saint is the title given to someone after they have died, because they have been very good and holy. The word is used here metaphorically to emphasize the fathers patience and understanding.administer be responsible for making sure sth is done according to the rulesWe will do our best to see that justice is administered fairly.It takes a lot of time to prepare, administer and mark the tests.track down find someone or something after a long search Are the doctors able to track down the cause of the infection?I finally tracked down the sort of ribbon I needed in a little shop near the station.pick on treat someone badly or unfairlyWhy pick on me? There are others who re absent from class.She told me that the boys were always picking on her.tell on tell against someoneIll tell on you when the teacher gets back.The prisoner hoped to get freedom by telling on his companions in the robbery.disguise 1. n. sth that is worn to hide who one really isThe beard and glasses are part of his disguises.She crossed the border in disguise when the enemy was tracking her down.2. v. change someones appearance so that people cannot recognize themHe escaped by disguising himself as a security guard.She disguised her voice when she phoned the newspaper.agreeable 1. Pleasant, nice or satisfactoryIve gone out of my way to be agreeable to his friends.The weather was agreeable and everything went on smoothly.2. Acceptable or able to be agreed onThe purpose of the discussion is to find a solution agreeable to both sides.penetrate 1.v. enter sth or pass through itThe knife penetrated his stomach.The rain had penetrated right through his clothes to his skin.2. vt. See into or through sthMy eyes couldnt penetrate the darkness.He had a false beard on, but we soon penetrated his disguise.vacant1. (of an expression) looking as if one is not thinking of anythingHe stared into the sky with a vacant expression on his face.She looked at me with vacant eyes.2. Empty, not filled with anythingTheres a vacant place over there where we can park.Are there any vacant seats available?grasp1. Take hold of someone or somethingShe grasped the child by the hand when crossing the street.One person will grasp an opportunity with enthusiasm, whereas another will recoil from the same chances with anxiety and fear.2. UnderstandI dont think youve grasped how serious the situation is.He was slow to grasp what the teacher said.pledge1. v. promise to do sthBritain has pledged 1.3 million to the UN for refugee work.The Prime Minister pledged that inflation will continue to fall and the economy will continue to grow.2. n. a promise or agreementThe government made a pledge to bring down interest rates.The government has fulfilled at least 50% of its election pledges.blossom1. Produce flowersRain begins to fall and the peach trees blossom.Trees and bushes have blossomed with new life at the dawn of a new season.2. Develop wellShe had blossomed into a lovely young girl.His idea 10 years ago when he was a freshman has now blossomed into a successful computer business.3. n. flowerThere were peach blossoms everywhere, sending fragrance into his nostrils.hit/strike home be understood or acceptedIt can be seen from her expression that his remarks had hit home.He struck home the message that his party would be tough on crime.reckon think about sth or have an opinion about sthShes very late now. I reckon shes not coming.- Can you do it?- I reckon so.reckon with consider sth when making plansThey have many difficulties to reckon with.This is a fact to be reckoned with.drain1. Let liquid flow away from sthThey have organized vast numbers of people to drain flooded land.He drained his glass in one gulp.2. Make someone extremely tiredShe felt emotionally drained after the divorce.Driving all day really drained me.lead up to come before sth important, and often cause itIn the weeks leading up to the graduation I did very little.restrain prevent one from doing sthI had to restrain myself from saying something rude.He gripped my arm, partly to restrain me and partly to reassure me.end up doing sth come to be in a particular situation or state, especially when you did not plan it We planned to go to a movie, but ended up watching TV at home.At first he refused to accept any responsibility, but ended up apologizing.get someone through help someone deal with a difficult situation or period of time It was his help that got us through those hard days.It was a terrible time financially, but I got through it and then things improved.